BRECKENRIDGE, COLO. - (September 16, 2013) Summit County electricity customers that want to use renewable energy but face unworkable barriers like shady roofs, they are renters, or lack the financial capability to build a full PV system on site now have the option to purchase solar panels in Summit County's first-ever community solar arrays, which begin generating clean, locally-made power September 24. The public is encouraged to join the kick-off of the Breckenridge Ullr Community Array and the Breckenridge Sol Array to learn more about community solar and how to participate.

The two 500 kW facilities located in Breckenridge, Colo. have the capacity to generate clean, locally-made power for up to 200 Summit County electricity ratepayers. They are the first and only community solar facilities in Summit County, and only the second and third community-owned projects to come online in young Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community program.

Any residential, commercial, or non-profit Xcel Energy customer can purchase 235-Watt panels for $870 each, with a minimum purchase of five panels up to as many as needed to completely power a home or business. CEC is taking deposits for panel purchases on a first-come, first-served basis. Thanks to the Town of Breckenridge's enthusiastic support of the program, Breckenridge residents and businesses will also receive a $0.10/Watt rebate.

"This is a way for Summit County residents to be able to have affordable power and feel good about how they're energy is generated," said CEC founder and president Paul Spencer. "You don't even need a roof to adopt clean energy today, and the paybacks are higher than ever - both for the environment and financially" Spencer added.

CEC's community-owned solar model allows 100% of a utility's ratepayers the opportunity to own clean, locally-produced energy. Members receive all of the same rebates and incentives of home-sited systems, and receive credit for the power produced directly on their monthly Xcel Energy bills. More information about the Breckenridge community solar facilities can be found at www.EasyCleanEnergy.com or by calling (800) 646-0323.

About Clean Energy Collective (CEC) Colorado-based Clean Energy Collective is a developer of community-based renewable energy facilities and a national leader in community power generation. CEC established the first community-owned solar garden in the country near El Jebel, Colorado in 2010. Since then, CEC has installed nine community solar facilities in Colorado representing 4.7 MW of clean power production. CEC is building 11 community-owned solar gardens under the Xcel Solar*Rewards program, totaling nearly 5 MW of distributed power generation to serve Colorado's customers in Boulder, Jefferson, Denver, Arapahoe and Summit Counties and the City of Aurora. CEC also has facilities operating or under construction in N.M., Minn. and Vt. For more information, please visit: Clean Energy Collective